Archive for the ‘Advocacy’ Category:

Monday I woke up at 4am and I was forced to wear a sweat shirt because it was sort of chilly. The following morning I woke up the same time and I was sweating. Indeed, a sudden change in the weather. I know that summer is almost here because I can feel the heat.

It’s time to be more careful in going out in the sun, use umbrellas, wear those caps or hats like Kangol Hats and don’t go out with putting on your sunblock.

Honestly, I am quite apprehensive with how hot this summer is going to be. Last year because of the heat, I developed rashes all over my body and I had to take steroids. It’s alarming how every summer, we record the hottest day especially when we know that we have contributed to this. My son mentioned this line to me when read it in the net:

As a young adult, I have developed the habit of reading. It provided me extensive amount of knowledge and opened my doors to new and exciting adventures.

Now that I am a Mom, I encourage my kids to read and read a lot. At a very young age, I have opened the opportunity for them to read by providing them with books and other reading materials. Every time we are in the mall, I offer to buy them books more than toys.

I am an advocate of reading and here are my reasons: Improved Vocabulary
More than the adventures they encounter in reading books, it greatly improves their vocabulary. Up until now, I have my dictionary beside me (if possible) whenever I read. I am not a master of the language, and one thing to develop it further is to continuously learn. My kids do that too. Improved Academic Standing
As you read, you do not only improve your vocabulary but it widens your knowledge as well. Studies have shown that kids who are in the habit reading have better academic records than those who don’t. It enables children to put their own thoughts together and enhance their comprehension. Reading is like travelling
It is the cheapest way to travel — you can learn about different cultures, customs and lifestyles of other countries without even paying for your plane fare. Encourages discipline
Taking the time to read is a discipline by itself. It means giving up their time in front of the television set and their computer games. Improves attention and mental ability
Reading is a very good way to improve your children’s attentiveness. Since they need to focus in order to better understand the subject matters, it stimulates their brain as they try to make sense of what they are reading. It is an active mental process.It is a form of relaxation
One way to relax a is to grab a book and start reading. It relieves your tension and can ease your boredom.

The above mentioned are only among the few benefits that you and your kids can gain from reading, there is so much more. The best way to promote the habit of reading to your kids is for you to become a role model. When they see their mom and dad reading, they will also be encouraged.

Supporting Earth Hour has been one of the advocacies I am very proud to support. It’s my own small way of promoting the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

This year, Earth Hour takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time). Whether you are an individual, a business enterprise, or a community, you are invited to get involved. Just turn off your lights for 60 minutes and you can make a big difference.

People from all walks of life are one in this global action, because we all have one thing in common – our planet. We need to do this for a sustainable future. This is the second year for my family to participate, and it’s a joy to know that my kids are more excited than me.

You can support Earth Hour by:

1. Turning off your lights at 8.30PM on March 27.
2. Showing your support and adding yourself to our world map.
3. Adding Earth Hour widgets, logos and banners to your blog or website to help us spread the word.
4. Talking about Earth Hour in your social network by updating your Facebook status, grabbing a Twibbon, tweeting about your support, and more..
5. Get together with your friends and family, by hosting an Earth Hour party or holding your own candlelit affair.
6. Rally your local council or community group to run an Earth Hour event for your community.
7. Encourage your employer and workmates to take part in Earth Hour and make energy savings every day
8. Make an Earth Hour Lantern as a symbol of hope for the future.
9. Be creative! Find a new way to mark Earth Hour and email:[email protected] to let them know all about it.

Yesterday, I completed my vaccine for cervical cancer. Although many do not believe in vaccines, I guess I am not one of those. I know for a fact that this vaccine does not protect me against all the types of human papillomavirus (HPV) – the virus that causes cervical cancer, but at least I have protection.

Ever since I gave birth to my youngest, I go to my OB-GYN for my annual check up, with the usual pap smear and breast exam. Nowadays, you can never be too careful with all the various illnesses lurking around. As Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

At present, the causes of cervical cancer have not been understood accurately. According to my doctor, there are a number of factors that contribute to it, such as having more than one sexual partners, or have a partner who has had many partners, sex at an early age, smoking, long-term use of contraceptive pills and weak immune system.

Studies say cervical cancer symptoms can often be overlooked as they can pass for a lot of other ailments. Other cervical cancer patients did not even experience any symptoms at all. More often than not, these symptoms can pass for a PMS or ovulation pains. As a result, women tend to shrug off these symptoms. I for instance have always experienced severe premenstrual and menstrual pains (dysmenorrhea) ever since I had my monthly period –that is why I am so vigilant! One of the exams that can help early detection is the Pap smear. This can detect abnormal cervical changes.

Personally, I took this vaccine as a way of empowering myself in protecting my body. I believe every person should do so. If you are interested in the cervical cancer vaccine, go ahead and ask your doctor about it.

With the recent events that transpired in Maguindanao, one cannot help but feel sad and angered. How can the people behind this appalling brutality sleep at night? I guess they do not have a conscience to bother them.

Although its miles away from where we are now, I cannot help but feel for the families who have lost their loved ones. No one deserves to be brutally murdered like that. It is a rather sad reflection of our country’s present political state. We have yet to start the campaign period, what more?

As I hear and read updates from the news, I am even more enraged to know that some of the victims were sexually abused before they were killed. Such an atrocious cruelty! I pray for the souls of these victims that they may find peace and that justice may be served.

The presence of private armies makes me shudder and I fear for my family, my kids and the future generation. I do hope that this coming elections we will be able to elect people who will have the political will to not only look into this matter but do something about it. And I truly pray that this unpleasant incident will not just disappear from the news, just like any other issues concerning the government.

I am sharing with you the statement issued by Senator Trillanes regarding this incident.

THE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE
by: Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV
It was a very sad day for our country yesterday. Forty people were reportedly abducted and killed in broad daylight allegedly by the security men of political warlords in Maguindanao with the possible involvement of some local law enforcement units.

The news may come as a shock for some but the truth is the brutal massacre merely highlighted what has been going on in many parts of our country all these years. This is ‘political warlordism’ at its worst! To further aggravate matters, the AFP/PNP are either accomplices, silents partners or helpless onlookers in these occurrences either by choice or through pressure from superiors. Often, the AFP/PNP area commanders are pressured or bribed by local politicians into issuing firearms for the latter ostensibly for security purposes but actually ends up being used for kidnapping, robbery, harassment/coercion, tribal wars and, in this case, a massacre of political foes. In an incident in 2001, then Col. Narcise, a newly assigned brigade commander in Basilan, recalled the government issued firearms of then Gov. Wahab Akbar but after a few days Col. Narcise was directed by then DND Sec. Reyes to return the said firearms to Akbar. The late Governor was a political ally of GMA and a personal friend of Reyes. Afterwards, Col. Narcise was unceremoniously relieved from his post by Reyes at the request of Akbar. Similar situations are happening in Maguindanao and other strife torn areas throughout the country.

That said, I will be filing a resolution on Monday calling for a Senate investigation on the Maguindanao massacre to find out the circumstances that led to this gruesome crime with a particular focus on the possible involvement/negligence of the AFP/PNP. Also, it intends to determine how many firearms have actually been issued by the AFP/PNP to all local officials not only in Maguindanao but all over the country with the end in view of recalling such firearms. Earlier, I have also filed a Gun Control Bill that intends to curb the proliferation of loose firearms. The bottom line is: WE HAVE TO GET THESE GUNS! Now, this is just the first step. Ultimately, only an aggressive political/governance reform and development agenda can restore peace, progress and democracy in these areas. Let’s just hope Noynoy (or whoever will be the next president) has one.

Abot Tanaw is a social welfare media company geared towards servicing Filipino’s separated from their families by choice. They cater to local and international Filipino migrants: students, workers, policemen, armed forces and the OFW’s.

They are inviting bloggers to understand what Abot Tanaw is all about and how they can bring people together with free video calls. This service is offered free to all Abot Tanaw members. Come and experience the state of the art telephony service that Abot Tanaw has to offer. They currently have 5 hubs located all over the Philippines and in HK – - SM City Davao, SM Cebu, SM North Edsa, SM Pampanga, SMX and at the United Center building in Hong Kong, near the consulate.

Join us on Saturday, November 7, 5-6pm at SMX Hub (Shop G-8, SM Convention Center, Pasay City) and have a first hand experience of an “abot” call. You are encouraged to set a meeting with your distant relatives and friends during this activity, just make your appointments with any of the Abot Tanaw Hubs or you can drop an email to Doris Jimenez at [email protected] for your free video call.

Abot Tanaw is grounded on the need for us to actually see each other and not just speak to each other. The same reason why Manny Pacquiao who is often separated from his family because of his profession has decided to endorse our cause. He will be wearing the Abot Tanaw shirt before his fight on November 15.

Please register here with your name, email and blog url to join this blogger event. Slots are open for the first 30 bloggers, so please register early.

For any inquiries, please feel free to send an email to [email protected] or contact 09178523843.

The recent devastation to property and life brought about by Typhoon Ondoy (international name Typhoon Ketsana) and Typhoon Pepeng (international name Typhoon Parma) is just among the many evidences to substantiate that climate change is a phenomenon that is taking place… now.

The photos and videos of those affected by these recent typhoons were tremendously shocking. One cannot help but think that this is truly the wrath of Mother Nature. But why? We can only blame ourselves for not taking care of the beautiful planet that was given to us. Human activities contribute a lot to climate change; it’s a price we are paying for modernization and industrialization.

Typhoon Pepeng

To point out some, we can see that more and more forested areas are converted to agricultural lands to produce food for the growing population, if not, they are transformed to the development of residential properties to give land to the homeless. As a result, there are damming of rivers and ground water is siphoned to counterpart the need of the agricultural fields and the growing population. With that, fossil fuel is used in order to draw water and electricity. .. And the cycle continues.(more…)

What better way to celebrate one’s birthday than by giving something back to society? It is a way of thanksgiving for the countless blessings me and my family has received. This year rather than having any celebration, I chose to sponsor a child through World Vision.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Motivated by our Christian faith, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

World Vision partners with children and the communities among the poorest areas to help improve lives and combat poverty by sending them to school.

For only P600 a month or P7,200 a year, you can send a child to school. You may opt to choose among the qualified school children if you drop by at their booths located at select malls or World Vision will assign at random the child that you will sponsor in cases of internet application.

Upon signing up, you will receive a welcome kit with the child’s profile and an opportunity to write and exchange letters with your sponsored child. What’s good about this program is that it does not have a binding agreement. Although World Vision hopes that you will continue to sponsor the child however, in the event that you cannot pursue, all you need to do is inform them.

With a little amount, it can really go along away. I am taking this opportunity to invite you, my readers, to sponsor a child today. You may visit World Vision website here or you can drop by at their booth inside the malls. They currently has booths in SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria or directly get in touch with their office at: